Process of oxidizing mixture of microcrystalline wax, hydroxylated polyethylene and polyethylene, and product produced thereby



March 24, 1959 v M. DE GROOTE ETAL- 2 879 23 PROCESS OF oxmxzmc MIXTURE 0F MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX. HYD,ROXYL,ATED7 POLYETHYLENE AND POLYETHYLENE, AND PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY Filed March 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 CONVENTIONAL POLYETHYLENE HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT BETWEEN |2,000 $32,000

TANK BOTTOM DERIVED MICROCRYSTALLINE LOW MOLAL HYDROXYLATED WAX HAVING A CARBON ATOM RANGE-OF POLYETHYLENE HAVING A APPROXIMATELY 35 TO IOO MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 2,|oo

FIG. I

March 24, 1959 DE ooT :r 2,879,237 PROCESS OF OXIDIZING MIXTURE OF MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, HYDROXYLATED POLYETHYLENE AND POLYETHYLEZNE, AND PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY Filed March 10, 1955 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 so & Q Q, 4 k t o Q :0 2 v OPEN NIP Q 3 d 10 o a a 4 5 c 1 0 HOURS ROLLING [60 C.

FIG. 2

0 E b v 0.004 r g B 0 oo: E 5 0.002 I g OPEN .E Obbl l a a 4 s a 7 0 HOURS ROLLING ISO'C.

FIG. 3

INVENTORS .MRM

March 24, 1959 M. DE GROOTE ETAL 2,879,237 PROCESS OF OXIDIZING MIXTURE OF MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, HYDROXYLATED POLYETHYLENE AND POLYETHYLENE, AND PRODUCT PRODUCED THEREBY Flled March 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 v 9. 3 moi 03? v nmuxrpo xmi 060402.35. 2255 to (Sumo-.262 H50 fij um .0om um 30mv FIG-m3 m 5Uu 62 000 0V 000 0N 000 0. .0006 00nd 00m mum/MEG mmx 3 u rFEmm United States Patent A PROCESS OF OXIDIZING MIXTURE OF MICRO- CRYSTALLINE WAX, HYDROXYLATED POLY- ETHYLENE AND POLYETHYLENE, AND PROD- UCT PRODUCED THEREBY Melvin De Groote, University City, and Franklin E.

Mange, Clayton, Mo., assignors to Petrolite Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application March 10, 1955, Serial No. 493,461

8 Claims. c1. 260--28.5)

10, 1955, of Malcolm E. Bolton assigned to the same assignee as is this application, now abandoned.

The present invention is concerned with a process of oxidizing a three-component mixture consisting of (A) refined tank bottom-derived microcrystalline wax having a carbon atom range of approximately 35 to 100; said wax being characterized by the following characteristics; (aa) oxidation susceptible in conventional gaseous oxygen-containing oxidation procedure; (bb) immiscible with polystyrene of molecular weight range 5,000 to 10,000 at approximately 160 C., and (cc) has not been rendered oxidation susceptible by subjecting to treatment with a member of the class consisting of a metallic halide, hydrochloric acid and chlorinated hydrocarbon; (B) a low molal polyethylene having a molecular weight of approximately 2100; said polyethylene having a terminal hydroxyl group, said hydroxylated polyethylene being produced by polymerizing ethylene under 425 475 atmospheres at temperatures between 140 and 200 C. in the presence of isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide; and (C) a, normal commercial polyethylene defined by the small shaded rectangular band of Figure 4; in suchweight pro:- portions so that the average composition of said initial reactants lies approximately within the parallelogram A, B, C, D, of the accompanying drawing, Figure 1; said oxidation comprising treatment with an oxygen-containing gas in presence of not over 2% of a conventional oxidation-promoting catalyst at a temperature sufliciently above the boiling point of water for a period oftime in gas flow rate to cause formation of (a) hydroxyl containing molecules; (b) carboxyl containing molecules; 3

followed by (c) esterification, and (d) subsequent reactions including at least one of the following, alcoholysis and ester-interchange; said resultant product having an acid number of not less than 12, and a saponification number of not less than 35, and having a combined oxygen content of not less than 2%. g i

A variety of hydrocarbon waxes and comparable compounds principally hydrocarbon in nature have been subjected to oxidation in various manners and particularly by the use of air, ozone, or oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, such as a wax soluble organic 'salt,

such as manganese or cobalt naphthenate.

The waxes employed for oxidation may be obtained by various procedures; for instance, they may be obtained in processes involving the production of lubricating oil, or in. processes conducted primarily for the recovery of wax; or they may be obtained from sediment in crude oil itself, i.e., commonly referred to-as tank bottoms. i

The present invention is limitedto a conibination emr 2,879,237 Patented Mar. 24, 1959 ploying (a) a specific type of microcrystalline wax derived from tank bottoms as differentiated from the broad class, (b) conventional high molal polyethylene having a molecular weight in the range of 12,000 to 32,000, and (c) a certain type of low molal hydroxy polyethylene having a molecular weight of approximately 2000.

The recovery and production of microcrystalline wax is well known and has been described in the literature. See, for example, US. Patent No'. 2,443,840, dated June 22, 1948, toStossel.

Recovery of tank bottom waxes is conducted principally in the middle western oil fields, in Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas as well as elsewhere to a lesser degree. The difference in tank bottom waxes can be illustrated by reference to those found in a single State, to wit, Texas. The composition of tank bottom waxes has been approximately determined. In each instance the tank bottom wax is a mixture principally of hydrocarbon material containing a perhaps a trace of some other element in chemical combination, not infrequently oxygen, and sometimes nitrogen and sulphur. Although there usually is only a trace of elements other than carbon and hydrogen yet such trace in combination with a molecule having 35 to carbon atoms'may actually have significan'ce which is somewhat obscure and subtle.

Although the tank bottom waxes are largely paraflinic in nature one cannot necessarily rule out the fact that a molecule'having 35 to 100 carbon atoms may or-may not have some other structure such as an aryl structure or more likely an alicyclic structure. I

Even in light of what has been said previously there is no explanation for a fact that has been recognized for years, togwit, that microcrystalline waxes, and for that matter one could limit oneself to those found in Texas, fall into two classes; one class consists of oxidation susceptible microcrystalline waxes which can be oxidized readily using a conventional catalyst and using a well known procedure such as the kind described in the article entitled Oxidation of Parafiins, by Dr. Ernest Stossel, which appeared in the Oil and Gas Journal, issues of July 21, August 18, and September 1, 1945. The other class of microcrystalline waxes appears to be identical in most respects but for some reason these are not oxidation susceptible waxes and for some purposes perhaps even more valuable. l

Purely for purpose of illustration, immediately following and identified as Table I, is a table showing oxidation of the. West Texas microcrystalline wax (non-oxidation susceptible), the oxidation of an East Texas microcrystalline wax (oxidation susceptible), and the oxidation of an aluminum chloride treated West Texas microcrystalline wax, all three waxes being oxidized under the same conditions.

TABLE I Duration of Tempera- Acid N o. Oxidation, ture, F. of Product hours East Texas Wax 16 330 31.6 West Texas Wax 24 330 1. 9 West Texas Wax (aluminum chloride treated) 8 330 26.1

wax when reacted with aluminum chloride or other halides, such as hydrochloric acid, or certain Friedel-Crafts catalysts, becomes oxidation susceptible. The above aluminum chloride treatment was accomplished by heating for approximately 7 hours at 100 C. The amount of aluminum chloride used was 10%. Lesser amounts can be used. Such treatment has been described in the patent literature.

The present invention is concerned with the use of oxidation susceptible microcrystalline waxes derived from tank bottoms and preferably the oxidation susceptible microcrystalline waxes from tank bottoms as found in the East Texas oil fields. As has been pointed out it is not known whether oxidation is prevented by the presence of a naturally occurring anti-oxidant or whether some other cause is involved. In some instances nonoxidation susceptible waxes, particularly of the kind derived from West Texas, can be rendered oxidation susceptible by vigorous treatment with a metallic chloride which apparently causes some obscure change, the character of which is not known.

As to the treatment of microcrystalline wax with aluminum chloride or the like, see US. Patent NO. 2,471,- 102 to Fish.

Having selected an oxidation susceptible wax of the kind above described, it is to be noted for the present purpose it must meet another requirement. Certain microcrystalline waxes derived in the conventional manner apparently mix with a large variety of olefin polymers at their melting point or somewhat above, for instance, 160 C. For instance, one such polymer is polystyrene. We have used the lowest molecular weight of polystyrene available from a commercial source as a screening test to select the appropriate tank bottom wax. Our method of screening is as follows: We mix 5 grams of polystyrene (5000 or 10,000 molecular weight) with 95 grams of the microcrystalline wax and if after stirring for 4 hours at 160 C. one does not obtain a homogeneous mixture the wax is satisfactory for use in the present invention. If one does obtain a homogeneous mixture the wax is not suitable for the present invention.

Reference has been made to pro-treatment with a metallic salt, particularly a metallic halide such as, for example, aluminum chloride. Chlorinated hydrocarbons and particularlychlorinated parafiin has. been suggested for this purpose; Hydrochloric acid is sometimes satisfactory for the same purpose. 7

1n the hereto appended claims the wax employed is characterized by the following characteristics: (a) oxidation susceptible in a conventional procedure; (b) immiscible with polystyrene 5 000 or 10,000 molecular weight at approximately 160 C., and (c) has not been subjected to treatment with a metallic halide, hydrochloric acid or a chlorine containing hydrocarbon compound.

I The present invention includes the use of a polyethylene, Polyethylenes cover a variety of products running in molecular weights from 1,000 to almost 100,000. The bulk of those sold in commerce range from 15,000 to 25,000 molecular weight. There are certain low molal polyethylenes having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 5,000. Although a number of these have been prepared in the present invention we prefer to use the type described in US. Patent No. 2,504,400, dated April 18, 1950, to Erchak. Said patent characterizes the product in terms of the method of manufacture which is a process for the production of at least medium hard,'highmelting waxes from ethylene which comprises maintaining ethylene under pressures between about 425 and 475 atmospheres and at temperatures between about 140 C. and 200 C. in contact with isopropanol in amount suf ficient to occupy from about 5% to about 10% of the total volume of the reaction zone and containing from about 0.1 to about 2% by weight on the isopropanol of hydrogen peroxide on a 100% hydrogen peroxide basis. The peculiar characteristics of low molal hydroxylated polyethylene have been recognized and the particular type of material herein employed is one of the components of reactants also as described in US. Patent No. 2,698,- 309 dated December 28, 1954, to Thwaites et al. For instance, in the last mentioned patent a product is identified as a wax composition comprising paraffin wax containing from 0.5 to 10% by weight of a mixture of polyethylene and 40 to 60% by weight based on total polymer of polyethylene having a terminal hydroxyl group, said hydroxylated polyethylene being produced by polymerizing ethylene under 425-475 atmospheres at temperatures between and 200 C. in the presence of isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide.

For purpose of convenience, what is said hereinafter will be divided into six parts:

Part 1 is concerned with suitable tank bottom derived microcrystalline wax;

Part 2 is concerned with the conventional high molal polyethylene;

Part 3 is concerned with the hydroxylated low molal polyethylene employed;

Part 4 is concerned with the limits of the components in the mixtures employed;

Part 5 is concerned with gaseous oxidation of the mixture and for convenience is divided into two sections; Section A is concerned with operative steps as the procedure is actually conducted, and Section B is concerned with the consideration of the probable reactions involved; and

Part 6 is concerned with uses for the products derived in the manner described in Part 5, preceding.

PART 1 The paraffin wax employed in the present invention is characterized by being obtained from tank bottoms in the conventional manner. The procedure for recovery of such waxes is Well known and materials are presently supplied commercially by at least three organizations. As has been pointed out elsewhere such waxes may or may not be oxidation susceptible by conventional gaseous oxidation procedure.

The tanlebottom wax employed for the present purpose must be naturally oxidation susceptible, i.e., must not require treatment with some chemical compound such as aluminum chloride, hydrochloric acid, chlorinated paraffin, or the like, to render it oxidation susceptible. Generally speaking, the melting point of such waxes prior to oxidation is within the range of to 200 F. The preferred range for the present purpose is a wax that melts at approximately within the range of to F. The color may vary from a pale straw to dark amber. Our preference is to use the lighter colored waxes such as would approximate pale amber, yellow, or straw, in color.

' PART 2 High molal polyethylenes within the molecular weight range of 17,000 to 32,000 are marketed by a number of organizations and have been fully described in the literature. The various high molal polyethylenes may vary somewhat in respect to hardness, softening point, etc. The variation is largely one of physical properties from a standpoint of molding polyethylene which is its most important use. There is no evidence that high molal polyethylene includes either a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group in the molecule or if it does it is not detectible by the usual methods of examination. It is well known that in numerous cases such high molal polyethylenes do contain a trace of oxygen although the manner in which the oxygen is combined is not completely understood.

As to a more complete description of these polyethylenes suitable forthe present purpose, reference is made to Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, volume 10, page 938 et seq. Note the following statement which appears on page 940:

A number of physical and mechanical properties are directly affected by the 'crystallini'ty and hence by the de- 'gree of branching. Examples are hardness, softening point, and yield point in tension. On the other hand, some properties, such as tensile strength, flexibility at low temperatures, and impact strength are principally a function of the average molecular weight. The wide range of types of polyethylene is a reflection of the wide variation in molecular weight and in degree of branching, and hence in crystallinity, which can be covered by alterations in the polymerization conditions. The interrelation of chain length crystallinity, and the nature of the polymer is shown in (Figure 4 hereto attached). The normal commercial polyethylenes, whose properties are described in the subsequent sections, lie within the small shaded band in the center of the diagram.

In light of the above it seems the clearest description of the polyethylene of the kind herein described is by reference to the shaded band or rectangular area of Figure 4 which, as previously stated, is the Figure 1 referred to in the excerpt above.

PART 3 Such low molal polyethylenes having one hydroxyl and in all likelihood in the terminal position have been produced by various methods. One method of production is that described in aforementioned US. Patent No. 2,504,400. This type of polyethylene has been used for various purposes as illustrated by aforementioned US. Patent No. 2,698,309.

As has been pointed out previously, the appended claims include the same terminology for purpose of identification as appear in the claims of US. Patent No. 2,698,309.

Referring to Figure 4 it is obvious that the molecular weight of approximately 2100 (without differentiating the area as to soft waxes or brittle waxes, or a combination) is completely removed from the area of the shaded rectangle which characterizes the normal high molal polyethylenes.

PART 4 As has been pointed out elsewhere the peculiar properties exhibited by the herein described products which typify the invention cannot be obtained by mixing the three raw materials or reactants in any proportion. The proportions employed come within specific limits which have been set forth in Figure 1. Examples of typical mixtures which can be subjected to oxidation in the manner described in Part 5 subsequently, are as follows:

Example 1a To 300 grams of microcrystalline wax (190l95 F melting point) obtained by refining the tank bottom residue from preferably East Texas crudes, is added 68 grams ofv high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 20,000) and 32 grams of a low molal hydroxyl polyethylene (average molecular weight 2,100). The resultant mixture is heated to approximately 320 F. for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous blend is obtained. When a portion of this material is allowed to cool to room temperature there appears to be no separation of any of the constituent materials. This material is very hard and forms firm hard gels in turpentine, mineral spirits and other hydrocarbon solvents.

Example 2::

To 256 grams of microcrystalline wax (190-195" F. melting point) is added 96 grams of high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 22,000) and 48 grams of low molal hydroxy polyethylene (average molecular weight 2,100). The resultant mix-- ture is heated to approximately 320 F. for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents, when cooled down. In this and other examples these materials can be blended at a lower temperature, for instance, 280 F. and lower 6 but it will take a longer time to effect solution. At a higher temperature, for example, 350 F. solution can be efiected in a shorter time with possibly some breakdown in the polymer chain.

Example 3a To 288 grams of a microcrystalline wax (190195 F. melting point) is added 64 grams of a high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 18,000) and 48 grams of a low molal polyethylene (aver age molecular weight of approximately 2100). The resultant mixture is heated to approximately 320 F. for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents when cooled down to room temperature.

Example 4a To 272 grams of a microcrystalline wax (190495" F- melting point) is added 96 grams of a high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 19,000) and 32 grams of a low molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 2100). The result.- ant mixture is heated to approximately 320 F. forj2 hours, at which time a homogenous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents whencoole'd down to room temperature.

Example 5a To 296 grams of a microcrystalline wax (l70-l75 F. melting point) is added 68 grams of a high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 30,000) and 36 grams of a low molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 2100). The result ant mixture is heated to about 320 F. for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents when cooled down to room temperature.

Example 6a Example 7a To 280 grams of a microcrystalline wax (-190" F. melting point) is added 76 grams of a high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 25,000) and 44 grams of a low molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 2100). The resultant product is heated to approximately 320'F.- for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents when cooled down to room temperature.

Example 80 To 264 grams of a microcrystalline wax -195 F. melting point) is added 88 grams of a high molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 17,000) and 48 grams of a low molal polyethylene (average molecular weight approximately 2100). The resultant mixture is heated to approximately 320 F. for 2 hours at which time a homogeneous mixture is obtained which shows no separation of constituents when cooled down to room temperature.

PART 5 This part is concerned with the gaseous oxidation of mixtures which have been described in Part 4, preceding. This part will be divided into two sections, Section A dealing with illustrative examples and Section B concerned with the possible reactions which'are involved} SECTION a Example 1b To the product of Example In is added 2 grams of cobalt naphthenate. The resultant mixture is blown with air at a rate of 5 ml./g./min. until the product shows an acid number of: 16. This latter step requires normally about 65 hours but this lengthy time can be considerably reduced by the use of oxygen enriched air or pure oxygen. The product of this example is a light orange color, is easily emulsifiable and has a penetration of 2 as measured by the procedure outlined by the A.S.T.M. Test Method D5-25, using a 100 g. weight and a temperature of 25 C.

Example 2b To the product obtained from Example 2a is added 2 grams of manganese naphthenate. The mixture is heatedto 270 F. and air is blown through at a rate of The same product is obtained using a wax-insoluble Example 3b To the product from Example 3a is added 2 grams of manganese stearate. After this mixture is heated to 300 F., air is introduced at a rate of approximately 5 ml./g./min., until an acid number of about 10 is obtained (about 40 hours). The temperature is then reduced to 240-250 F. and the oxidation is continued until the acid number reaches approximately 17 (about 15 hours). By the use of this procedure a light orange, hard, emulsifiable wax is obtained having a saponification value of 4555. If this oxidation reaction is run at a temperature of 260-280" F. rather than starting the oxidation at a higher temperature and then lowering it, a product is obtained having a lower saponification to acid number ratio. Although this latter product can be emulsified to give a stable emulsion with very desirable properties, a wax having a higher saponification to acid number ratio may be more easily emulsified with water. 1

Example 4b When the procedure of Example 2b is employed using the product from Example 4a with 2 grams of manganese naphthenate, an orange colored product is obtained that has a penetration of one as measured by the A.S.T.M. Test Method D5-25 when it has been oxidized to an acid number of 15 and a saponification number of between 35-45. The time required for this reaction is from 60 to 75 hours.

SECTION B The present invention is concerned with the resultant obtainedby reactions of the kind specified in regard to a tertiary rnixture, one component being tank bottomderived microcrystalline waxes and preferably derived from'East Texas crude along with two different polyethylenes, There are a number of suitable references which indicate as far as the oxidizing'of tank bottom waxes goes, when oxidation takes place under conditions herein described that there is considerable change as, ,for example, conversion so the product shows an acid number of 30, a saponification number of 90, along with a combined oxygen content of approximately 5%. 0bviously there are formed alcohols, and then acids and then esters, although this is an oversimplification which does not take into consideration other products which might be formed. For instance, reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 2,128,523, dated August 30, 1938, to Burwell. In discussing the oxidation of waxes under conditions akin to those herein employed with certain modifications there is stated the following The process above described is that disclosed in-Patent Nos. 1,690,768and 1,690,769, granted to Arthur W. Burwell. The resulting reaction product is a mixture of a great number of different compounds which may, for clarity, be grouped thus:

( 1) Unoxidized (i. e., original) hydrocarbons;

(2) Aliphatic alcohols, largely secondary and tertiary;

(3) Aliphatic ketones;

(4) Ketoalcohols;

(5) High molecular weight saturated aliphatic carboxyli and hydroxycarboxylic acids; etc.; and

(6) Neutral esters and lactones derived from the aforesaid acids and the aforesaid alcohols, or from the aforesaid acids, respectively.

Differently grouped, the mixtures are separable broadly into (a) saponifiables and (b) unsaponifiables: into the latter group fall the alcoholic and ketonic compounds aforesaid (and, of course, the unoxidized hydrocarbons), whereas the acids, esters and lactones are grouped as saponifiables.

Normally in the oxidation of conventional polyethylene particularly polyethylene having a molecular weight in excess of 12,000 and most characteristically a polyethylene of the kind that is commonly used in wax compounds, such as polyethylene of the 12,000 to 32,000 molecular weight range, one finds that the same reactions take place along with other reactions, to wit, polymerization, extensive oxidative degradation or depolymerization or the equivalent. We are inclined to think that the initial attack occurs at a tertiary or secondary position so asto eventually form alcohols and then these are further oxidized with rupture of the polyethylene molecule to form acids or other oxidation products which may again be further degraded by similar means. In other words, in oxidation of a polyethylene having a molecular weight in the 12,000 to 32,000 range, there is no question but what in the final stages, and perhaps after considerable change in color, one does obtain products in which, to a large extent and perhaps entirely, the initial structural units represent products having a molecular weight in the neighborhood of 4,000, 3,000 or 2,000, or less, i. e., the polyethylene unit seems to be degraded into a number of smaller molecules.

As to the oxidation of polyethylene reference is made to Midwinter, British Plastics, May 1945, pp. 208-214 and 228. For purpose of convenience, two drawings appearing in the article are herewith produced as Figures 2 and 3. As stated in the article, the figures herein identified as 2 and. 3 show the effect of milling polyethylene in air at C. Both power factor and iluidity show very marked changes when polyethylene is rolled with a tight nip and constantlychanging surface (good mixing), but no appreciable differences are noted when polyethylene is rolled with an open nip so that the movement of the bank between the rolls is reduced to a minimum (poor mixing).

Reference is made to the pamphlet Alkathene which is the brand of polyethylene marketed by the Plastics Division oi Imperial Chemical Industries Limited. The

reference to Alkathenehasno. significance other than that it is a reference-to a. polyethylene of the conventional .type having molecularizweight range from. approximately 12,000 to 32,000. The statement is as follows: i 1 I .When Alkatheneis processed in air below 125 C. for periods up' to about eight hours, its physical and electrical. properties are scarcely'afiected, but at higher temperatures, orfiaftera longer time, oxidation occurs.

Oxidation causes an=increase of power factor and 'an increaseor decrease in fluidity, sometimes accompanied by discoloration. Thus, heating in limited amounts of oxygen causes cross-linking of polymer molecules and, therefore, a toughening of the product to a rubber-like mass. On.the other hand, having in excess oxygen involves moleculardegradation and a decrease in melt viscosity.

,In mill mixing the rate of oxidation increased with increase inthe temperature and the rate of shear in the mp3! v I. I It is very questionable that oxidation. as herein con.- ducted on a binarymixtureof tank bottom-derived wax and high molal polyethylene would produce a composite in which there were comparatively small units having 50 to 75 carbon atoms derived from the wax and large units having perhaps 11200 carbon atoms derived from'the poly:- ethylene. This does not mean that trans-esterification or esterification could not take place, at least theoretically, between the-acids of the wax and the alcohols of the high polymer molccule;or,'inversely, between the acids of the high molal polyethylene andthe alcohols of the low molal wax but there is the reaction which probably takes place at an intermediate point, to wit, the break down or cleavage of the polyethylene (probably after hydroxylation) and thus a mixture if one proceeded as herein described omitting the low molal polyethylene (the polyethylene having a molecular weight of 2000 or thereabouts) would actually result, at least to a substantial degree and perhaps entirely in mixed esters derived from the low molal wax and the polyethylene obtained by oxidative degradationor depolymerization,,i.;e., degradation polymer units having a molecular weight in the neighborhood .of.2,000 to 4,000.

' When a three-component system, to wit, a tank-bottom refined wax, a high molal-polyethylene and a low molal polyethylene, is subjected to oxidation conditions We obtaina product which has more desirable properties than that obtained from the binary system just beforehand mentioned. Although it is a matter of speculation it is felt that the difference herein noted in the oxidation is due to the terminal hydroxyl groups which are probably present in the low molal polyethylene and which are probablynot formed in the oxidation of wax or polyethylene due to the nature of oxidation so as to give'rise .to oxidation derivatives in which carbon atoms near the center of the chain are attached. These alcohols can be oxidized to acids and thence out chain cleavage. Any low molal polyethylene mole' cule containing terminal unsaturation would yield long chain acids with minimum chain cleavage. herein lies theunique nature of the low molal polyethylene. v

"The products herein obtained as far as we are aware involve a procedure not suggested previously elsewhere. Emphasis appears 'to be indicated in regard to what has been just said, not so much from the standpoint of difierentiating from other processes, but rather to offer some explanation, whether logical or speculative, as to why the herein described procedure givesproducts of unusual value for numerous purposes The reason for this is the following: (a) We use two different polyethylenes, one being high molal. andone low molal; (b) as far as we know no one has suggested previously the oxidation of a polyethylene having a molecular weight of 2000 or thereabouts alone, and particularly a. xyltts Q W Y -QP S-K?) v and a e th Perhaps Q verted to esters withtough film having a high gloss,

:10 the' total amount of polyethylene employed is not such small amount or small ratio asis sometimes employed butis a substantial amount, for instance, approximately one-quarter as much or more of the amount of wax employed; (d) we do not -find we can replace the polyethylene with other polymers, such as vinyl polymers, butadiene polymers, butylene polymers, or the like-ethe properties obtained seem to be obtainable from poly ethylene only; (e) desirable properties of the kind here inafter described seem to be limited to an extremely nar row combination, i.e., the initial reaction mixture which comes within the area of the parallelogram in Figure 1; (f) finally, so far as we are aware no such combination as specified above has been subjected, not merely to bare oxidation or minimum oxidation but to controlledoxidation so as to obtain a final product having an acidnunil bet at least 12, a saponification number ofat least 35, and combined oxygen content of not less than 2%. The upper limit for the acid number is approximately 35; for the saponification number approximately 90,} and for the combined oxygen content approximately 7%.

Numerous catalysts may be successfully employed in this invention to efiect oxidation. In general these catalyst are composed of salts of thetransition'm'et'als and, more'specifically, "salts of cobalt, manganese and iron. We prefer to use wax soluble catalysts of 'these elements, such as the'naphthenate, stearate', oleate,'etc; Another very etfective catalyst is potassium perman ganate. This material .is wax insoluble and it is best to add it in the form of an 'ac'jueous solution and then allow the water to evaporate from vthe wax mixture, 1,

The. mixture composed of microcrystalline wax, high molecular weight polyethylene and hydroxy low molec: ularweight polyethylene is. oxidized:byfanoxygen-containing gas in this invention. We normally employ air because of convenience. However, oxygen, or air/en: riched with oxygen, will givev a gas which would would work equally as well. We have noted thatwheni agas high in oxygen content is employed, the oxidation proceeds at a much more rapid rate ,and' as a result a lower gas rate can be employed. Ozonecan beaddedto the oxygen-containing gases which aids ,in the .oxidationprocedure.

. -What is said herein as to the initialgcomponentmixq tures'which is subjected to, drastic oxidation ,it may be noted that such mixture can be combined with small amounts of certain other wax-soluble polymers mentioned elsewhere, such as paracoumarone resin, indene resin, terpene resin, or the like, to give analogousproducts. Note that in such instance neither type of poly ethylene (high molal or low molal) can be. replaced by some other polymer but some other polymer in comparatively small amounts, for..instance, 4% upto 5%. may be added and at least in some instances give some? what modified properties. Such four-component combination is not part of the present invention.

Similarly, another four-component combination, which is not partof the present invention, involves the use'of. a polybutylenejand particularly one which; is a solid at ordinary room temperatures. Such solid .polybutylene have either one orbothof two characteristics, i.e.,-.a stickiness or tackiness and,.,secondary a rubberyv body. Actually, we have prepared products using a four-component system, i.e., thoseabove enumerated along with solid polybutylene' in smallvamounts, for instance, 1% to 5% by weight of the total mix and the resultant product gives excellent floor polishes which, in addition to the usual desirable qualities was particularly valuable from the standpoint that it seemed .to be slip-proof.

PART' 6 The products of this invention have manyuses, but they are especially valuable for thevpreparation of emulsions which, when spread on'a surface, leave a hard 11 pThese aqueous emulsions may be made by various methods, e.g., wax to water, water to wax, etc., employing numerous emulsifying agents. One suitable procedure is as follows:

Example lo 100 grams of an oxidized product of this invention and 12 grams of oleic acid are blended with agitation and to this blend at 200-205 F. are added 7.6 grams of morpholine. Water at 200-210" F. is at first added very slowly to the above blend kept at ZOO-210 F. First a heavy gel forms which inverts to the oil-in-water type of emulsion and at this time the rate of water addition can be increased. To make an emulsion containing 12% solids, 816 grams of water should be used in this procedure. To this emulsion should be added to of a 12% ammoniacal shellac solution (or a comparable material) to improve the leveling properties of the emulsion.

It. may be necessary to vary the proportions of the emulsifying agents depending upon to what extent the polyethylene wax blends are oxidized. This emulsion also can be made by the wax-to-water method although the resultant emulsion is not as good.

In addition, various other ingredients may be used in these emulsions as synthetic resins, such as those obtainable on the open market and recognized for this use by the trade, or various vegetable waxes.

Example grams of the product of this invention, 25 grams of an oxidized rriicrocrystalline wax produced by several manufacturers 080-185 F. melting point, 4-6 penetration, 4-5 N.P.A. color, 20-25 acid number, and 55-65 saponification number, 25 grams of a phenol-terpene resin of the type used by floor polish manufacturers, 2 5 grams of carnauba wax and 10 grams of oleic acid, are heated together at temperatures up to 250 F. until a solution is obtained. The mixture is cooled to 210 F. with agitation. 7.2 grams of 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol are added with stirring at 200 to 210 F., followed immediately by addition of 4 grams of borax in a saturated solution. This mixture is heated at 200 to 210 F. for five minutes and then the melt is slowly poured into water at 200 to 210 F. with rapid agitation. When the emulsion has smoothed out a 12% solution of leveling agent is added with agitation. 7

These finished emulsions can be spread on a surface such as linoleum; to give a finish which dries to a high gloss without butting. This wax film is hard and tough and as a result is resistant to sending.

The wax products of the invention may be used in other emulsions such as those used for furniture or automobile polishes to give hard glossy films.

Because of the high melting point and good hardness of the products of this patent application these waxes are also valuable for additives to other waxes to impart to varying extents these desirable characteristics.

These wax materials also find use as additives to lubricating greases or as additives in various hydrocarbon coatings for metal where, in addition to enhancing the physical properties, they also have a tendency to inhibit corrosion. V

The percentage of oxygen as reported in the invention is best determined by a carbon and hydrogen analysis. Since these oxidized materials are essentially composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, the percentage of oxygen is equal to 100% minus the sum of the percent of carbon and hydrogen. There will be, of course, a trace of other materials such as that contributed by the metal catalyst (approximately 0.03%), metals from the reaction vessel (these contribute less than 0.01%) and other elements such as nitrogen and sulfur (usually less than 0.01%). An approximate value for the percentage of oxygen can be calculated by using the saponification number, hydroxyl value, and carbonyl value. Most of the oxygen is in the form of acids and esters, so "an idea of the oxygen content can be determined from the saponification value.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, is:

1. The process of oxidizing a three-component mixture consisting of (A) refined tank bottom-derived microcrystalline wax having a carbon atom range of approximately 35 to 100; said wax being characterized by the following characteristics; (aa) oxidation susceptible in conventional gaseous oxygen-containing oxidation procedure; (bb) immiscible with polystyrene of molecular weight range 5,000 to 10,000 at approximately 160 C., and (cc) has not been rendered oxidation susceptible by subjecting to treatment with a member of the class consisting of a metallic halide, hydrochloric acid and chlorinated hydrocarbon; (B) a low molal polyethylene having a molecular weight of approximately 2,100; said polyethylene having a terminal hydroxyl group, said hydroxylated polyethylene being produced by polymerizing ethylene under 425- 475 atmospheres at temperatures between 140 and 200 C. in the presence of isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide; and (C) a normal commercial polyethylene defined by the small shaded rectangular band of Figure 4; in said weight proportions so that the average composition of said initial reactants lies approximately within the parallelogram A, B, C, D, of the accompanying drawing, Figure 1; said oxidation comprising oxidizing with an oxygencontaining gas in presence of not over 2% of a conventional oxidation-promoting catalyst at a temperature above 212 F. within the range of about 240 F. to 300 F. for a period of time of about 55 to about hours in gas flow rate to cause formation of (a) hydroxyl containing molecules; (1')) carboxyl containing molecules; followed by (c) esterification, and (d) subsequent reactions including at least one of the following, alcoholysis and ester-interchange; said resultant product having an acid number of not less than 12, and a saponification number of not less than 35, and having a combined oxygen content of not less than 2%.

2. The product obtained by the process defined in claim 1.

3. The process of oxidizing a three-component mixture consisting of (A) refined tank bottom-derived microcrystalline wax having a carbon atom range of approximately 35 to said wax being characterized by the following characteristics; (aa) oxidation-susceptible in conventional gaseous oxygen-containing oxidation procedure; (bb) immiscible with polystyrene of molecular weight range 5,000 to 10,000 at approximately 160 C., and (cc) has not been rendered oxidation susceptible by subiecting to treatment with a member of the class consisting of a metallic halide, hydrochloric acid and chlorinated hydrocarbon; (B) a low'molal polyethylene having a molecular Weight of approximately 2,100; said polyethylene having terminalhydroxyl group, said hydroxylated polyethylene being produced by polymerizing ethylene under 425-475 atmospheres at temperatures between and 200 C. in the presence of isopropanol and hydrogen per-oxide; and (C) a normal commercial polyethylene defined by the small shaded rectangular band of Figure 4; in such weight proportions so that the average composition of said initial reactants lies approximately within the parallelogram A, B, C, D, of the accompanying drawing, Figure 1; said oxidation comprising oxidizing with an oxygen-containing gas in presence of not over 2% of a conventionaloxidation-promoting catalyst at a temperature above 212 F. within the range of about 240 F. to 300 F for a period of time of about 55 to about 75 hours in gas flow rate to cause formation of (a) hydroxyl containing molecules; (b) carboxyl containing molecules; followed by (c) esterification, and (d) subsequent reactions including at least oneof the following, alcoholysis and ester-interchange; said resultant product having an acid number of not less than 12, and not over 35; and a saponification number of not less than 35 and not over 90; and having a combined oxygen content of not less than 2% and not over 7%.

4. The product obtained by the process defined in claim 3.

5. The process of claim 3 with the proviso that the oxidation catalyst be a member selected from the class consisting of a wax soluble organic salt of cobalt, a wax soluble organic salt of manganese and potassium permanganate, and with the further proviso that the amount of said catalyst be not over 1% by weight of the oxidation susceptible mixture.

6. The product obtained by the process defined in claim 5.

7. The process of oxidizing a three-component mixture consisting of (A) refined tank bottom-derived microcrystalline wax having a carbon atom range of approximately 35 to 100; said wax being characterized by the following characteristics; (aa) oxidation-susceptible in conventional gaseous oxygen-containing oxidation procedure; (bb) immiscible with polystyrene of molecular weight range 5,000 to 10,000 at approximately 160 C., and (cc) has not been rendered oxidation susceptible by subjecting to treatment with a member of the class consisting of a metallic halide, hydrochloric acid and chlorinated hydrocarbon; (B) a low molal polyethylene having a molecular weight of approximately 2,100; said polyethylene having a terminal hydroxyl group, said hydroxylated polyethylene being produced by polymerizing ethylene under 425-475 atmospheres at temperatures between 140" and 200 C. in the presence of isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide; and (C) a normal commercial polyethylene defined by the small shaded rectangular band of Figure 4; in such weight proportions so that the average composition of said initial reactants lies approximately within the parallelogram A, B, C, D of the accompanying drawing, Figure 1; said oxidation comprising oxidizing with air in presence of not over 1% of a member selected from the class consisting of cobalt naphthenate, and manganese naphthenate at a temperature above 212 F within the range of about 240 F. to 300 F. for a period of time of about to about hours in gas flow rate to cause formation of (a) hydroxyl containing molecules; (b) carboxyl containing molecules; followed by (c) esterification and (d) subsequent reactions including at least one of the following, alcoholysis and ester-interchange; said resultant product having an acid number of not less than 12, and not over 35; and a saponification number of not less than 35, and not over and having a combined oxygen content of not less than 2% and not over 7%.

8. The product obtained by the process defined in claim 7.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,426,248 Sugarman Aug. 26, 1947 2,471,102 Fish May 24, 1949 2,504,400 Erchak Apr. 18, 1950 2,601,109 Fish June 17, 1952 2,698,309 Thwaites et al Dec. 28, 1954 2,754,278 Wilson et al. July 10, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 581,279 Great Britain Oct. 7, 1946 

